John Prine

John Prine

Photo: Alison Buck/WireImage

News

John Prine And His Famous Friends Are "Knockin' On Your Screen Door"

Facebook Twitter Email
Joined by Dan Auerbach, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, and Sturgill Simpson, he's introducing himself all over again
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jul 10, 2018 - 4:16 pm

Legendary folk artist and multiple GRAMMY winner John Prine released The Tree Of Forgiveness this past April, his first album of original compositions since 2005's Fair & Square, which won Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 48th GRAMMY Awards. On July 10, joined by some exceptional guests, Prine released a video for the first track, "Knockin' On Your Screen Door." A new generation of listeners just might answer that summertime call.

His knock-knock is distinctively set in Nashville and his band includes GRAMMY winners Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, and Sturgill Simpson, as well as Elizabeth Cook and Margo Price. Favorite Nashville spots incorporated as settings include Arnold's Country Kitchen, Ernest Tubb Record Shop and the Station Inn. Altogether the warm feelings are "down home" and inviting.

John Prine, Sturgill Simpson On Songwriting's Myst

With just a couple more U.S. dates this month, Prine's summer will take him abroad in August for a European tour, but he'll be back in fall. As announced on July 9, joined by Simpson, Prine will be ringing in the New Year at the Grand Ole Opry.

"I'm basically doing the same thing I've been doing over the years," Prine said in an interview with The Tennessean. "Maybe people finally caught on to it."

The paper, a version of which began publishing in Nashville in 1812, dubbed him "the godfather of the exploding Americana music scene." The way Simpson put it to their writer was, "John Prine is the coolest person in the room and he always has been."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images

News

Willie Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival 2018 Sets Los Angeles Finale

Facebook Twitter Email
Phil Lesh, Lukas Nelson, Particle Kid, Margo Price, and Sturgill Simpson will bring the tour to a big close at the Hollywood Bowl in October
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jul 31, 2018 - 2:23 pm

The Outlaw Music Festival 2018 tour presents changing lineups led by Willie Nelson & Family. The festival began in 2016 and first went cross-country in 2017 and has extended its second leg through an Oct. 21 finale at the Hollywood Bowl. Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real have been along for the ride and will be there with Particle Kid, Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson. Appearing at Outlaw for the first time, Phil Lesh of Grateful Dead fame will be headlining for a unique presentation of old masters along with the young journeymen and women rising in stature.

"Willie is so American, you know, in the finest sense. Classic," said Lesh. "I've hoped to get back on the stage with him again for a long time now."

"I'm excited to play the Bowl with my old pal, Phil Lesh," said Nelson. "I'm sure there will be some magical music moments for all the fans."

In our exclusive Newport Folk Fest interview with Lukas Nelson, Willie's son spoke of the energy cycle connecting the younger generation with greats such as Neil Young who are able to teach them so much.  "It's like as we learn more and we grow, then we give him energy at the same time," said Lukas. "People in the audience can feel that too I think, and they get caught up in the cycle."

In addition to meaningful musical moments, every stop on the Outlaw tour features local cuisine, beers and crafts, celebrating regional culture. In Southern California, some new artisanal discoveries are bound to add to this one-of-a-kind event.

Tickets go on sale on Aug. 4 for the chance to catch the traveling fest in Los Angeles.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Jerry Douglas

Jerry Douglas

Photo: Paul Morigi/WireImage

News

Americana Legends Coming To Nashville's September Festival

Facebook Twitter Email
First announcement of Americana performances includes Brandy Clark, Jerry Douglas, Tommy Emmanuel, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Oates, and Lee Ann Womack
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Apr 19, 2018 - 1:46 pm

On Sept. 11–16, the Americana Music Association and the city of Nashville will be hosting the 19th annual AmericanaFest: The Americana Music Festival & Conference. The organization announced the first 74 artists participating in this year's festivities — including GRAMMY winners John Carter Cash, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Lee Ann Womack — 200 more artist announcements are promised soon. GRAMMY nominees expected to perform at the festival this fall include Brandy Clark, Tommy Emmanuel and John Oates.

The associated Americana Honors & Awards will be held on Sept. 12 at the Ryman Auditorium, and hundreds of performances will take place across Nashville's many beloved and historic music venues. Headline names such as American Aquarium, Drivin N Cryin, Alejandro Escovedo, Mary Gauthier, Ron Pope, and Joe Purdy are all well regarded exemplars of this growing genre that celebrates and displays its deep roots and profound ability to haunt the imagination.

It's a good thing Nashville has proven its ability to host all that talent, but attendees should be prepared to be not only overwhelmed, but also uplifted and inspired by how much the Americana community cares.

For instance, Jerry Douglas donated his time to meet with lawmakers about creators' rights as part of GRAMMYs on the Hill on April 18. The acknowledged master of the dobro has 14 GRAMMY wins. His most recent was at the 57th GRAMMY Awards as part of the the band lineup on the Earls of Leicester's 2014 self-titled debut album.

Also, on April 24, Lee Ann Womack's Nashville performance at A.J.'s Good Time Bar is raising funds for MusiCares, helping to deliver vital assistance and services to musicians in need.

At a recent visit to Recording Academy headquarters, Brandy Clark sat down for our One Take rapid-fire questions and shared that her favorite place to eat in Nashville is Monell's. Like the lineup for AmericanaFest, there is a lot to choose from, many of the choices are historic, and it seems reasonable to anticipate having a very good time.

AmericanaFest 2017 drew more than 50,000 aggregate attendees to its 500 performances. Festival wristband and conference registration sales are online at AmericanaMusic.org.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Eminem

Eminem

Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage

News

Music Festivals 2018: Bonnaroo Lands Eminem, The Killers, & Much More

Facebook Twitter Email
Future, Muse, Sheryl Crow and more also announced as tickets go on sale Friday for June's Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 9, 2018 - 4:37 pm

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival held in June in Manchester, Tenn. creates a world of its own and invites you to spend a few days partying down in it. Announcing their 2018 line-up on Jan. 9, Bonnaroo 2018 named Eminem, the Killers and Muse as headliners and an incredible array of other acts, including the Future, Paramore, Khalid, and Kaskade, who will be heating up the festival's 10 stages on 700-acres of Tennessee  June 7-10.

"Having a lineup that is rich and deep in its diversity is really what Bonnaroo's always about," said co-founder Ashley Capps. "I think this year we've really got that."

GRAMMY winners like Bon Iver, Nile Rodgers, Sheryl Crow, and Sturgill Simpson will be representing all sides of the music landscape along with emerging sensations such as Dua Lipa, Playboi Carti and Rag'N'Bone Man. Run your eyes over that list and you will find stars, old and new, promising for an unforgettable four days in the countryside this summer. Tickets for Bonnaroo go on sale Friday Jan. 12.

The Killers, Bruno Mars, Muse Set For BottleRock Napa Festival

Nashville House of Blues

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville House of Blues

News

Historic Nashville House Of Blues Studios Acquired By Universal

Facebook Twitter Email
Historic and growing, the Berry Hill facility was under House of Blues since 2009
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 8, 2019 - 3:15 pm

Last week, reporting revealed that Universal Music Group bought the Nashville House of Blues recording studios in Berry Hill for $4.3 million in Nov. 2018. A neighboring structure was purchased at the same time to augment the complex of eight buildings and five recording studios on East Iris Drive. A world-class facility, Kesha recorded her GRAMMY-nominated Rainbow there, and Alison Krauss & Union Station recorded their Paper Airplane there too, winner of Best Bluegrass Album at the 54th GRAMMY Awards.

"UMG has acquired the House of Blues Studios in Berry Hill with the intention to modernize the space, while remaining respectful of its legendary and iconic status in Nashville's music scene," a UMG spokesman told the Tennessean. "We will have more details to share about our exciting plans for the studio in the near future."

Originally known as East Iris Studio, House of Blues acquired it in 2009. GRAMMY-nominated albums recorded at the facility include Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell's The Traveling Kind, Keb' Mo's The Reflection, Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour, and Robert Plant's Band Of Joy.

Other studios in UMG's growing collection include London's legendary Abbey Road Studios, Los Angeles' Capitol Studios and Sydney, Australia's Forbes Street Studios.

Nashville's Berry Hill recording complex has so much history that it even has Memphis music history — House of Blues had moved the facility's Studio D to the location in 2009 from its previous existence as House of Blues Memphis. Here is looking forward to more history-making recordings ahead!

Nile Rodgers Talks Abbey Road, Superstar Collabs At Coachella